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This weekend saw 5305 Loco Association’s charges working on two major preserved railways: 70013 (as 70048) was in service on the GCR, looking splendid and sounding even better since Kevin and Tom adjusted the valve settings last weekend.
While 70013 was 'blazing the rails' the “5305LA Project of the Moment” (the support coach) received more paint to the underside of the body. This is worth a mention not only because it shows that the support coach is still progressing despite the holidays, but for the sheer determination on the part of Hugh who spent most of a freezing cold day lying on the ground applying paint which he had to warm first to make it flow. Give that man a cup of tea someone! (As a bit of light relief, Hugh also managed to put another layer of paint under the cab floor of 45305)
Meanwhile, 30777 “Sir Lamiel” has been in traffic on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Our ‘man on the spot’ Chris Williams has done a great job looking after 30777. He lives nearby and offered to look after her as ‘owner’s rep’ while she was at the KWVR, saving someone from Loughborough having to drive all the way up the country, and him from having to drive all the way to Loughborough to work on another project. So he disposed the engine fully last weekend and put a warming fire in last Wednesday. The KWVR had organised a cleaning gang and, according to reports, Lamiel looked good as she chugged up and down the branch. Chris spent the whole weekend at the KWVR, with other 5305 LA volunteers putting in an appearance.
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There were a lot of people about at the Worth Valley, presumably some drawn by the presence of the "Arthur". Lamiel worked the full "one diagram" steam service on both Saturday and Sunday, 3rd and 4th January. Hopefully the presence of 30777 working at the Worth Valley has gone some way to making up for the disappointment of her failure on the Oxenhope - Ribblehead train last June.
On a final note, our reporter in Yorkshire tells me that the KWVR has large posters up advertising the February Gala and featuring 70013 in a splendid picture – that surely must be one to look forward to.